The Missouri Department of Transportation's Motorist Assist team is working around the clock to help drivers who have been stranded on roads across Missouri.

Because of the cold temperatures, crews will not help change flat tires. But they've still been helping drivers with all kinds of problems.

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Dead batteries kept a lot of dead cars parked on Monday morning. Some of those cars that were able to start were caught in crashes caused by black ice that thawed and refroze on one the roads.

Drivers were urged to take extra precautions before hitting the roads.

"If you do have to go out, make sure in your vehicle you keep a blanket, a bottle of water, a cellphone if possible because that way if you do have a breakdown, you can get hold of somebody," said Motorist Assist's Tony Snorgrass. "Stay in your vehicle. With the way the wind chills are they way they are, you can get frostbite very rapidly, and also dress appropriately."

Jeff Page, at Eagle Auto Service, said cold temperatures will create big problems for cars. He said one way to help stay safer is to check the car's tire pressure.

"Make sure they're inflated, because when it gets this cold, the air just shrinks up, "he said. "Tires being underinflated, of course, that makes the car more difficult to drive and reduces your traction."

Page said drivers should be sure to give a car 10-15 minutes to warm up before driving it away, although police discourage people from leaving warming cars unattended or running inside open garages.